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MEET THE TEAM

The Board oversees the strategic and financial health of the organization and is responsible for approving distribution of grants to our charity partners.

John Makinson — Board Member and Chair of the Board of Directors

Chairman of Kano

John Makinson was with the Penguin Group for almost 15 years, first as Chairman and CEO of Penguin Group, then as Chairman of Penguin Random House. He recently became the Chairman of Kano, a fast-growing British company that makes computer kits for children to assemble and learn to program. John has previously served as a co-Chair of the International Rescue Committee (UK) and Chairman of the National Theatre as well as The Institute for Public Policy Research, the UK’s leading progressive think tank.

John began his career as a journalist. Following a time in the United States with Saatchi & Saatchi, he returned to the UK to establish Makinson Cowell, an independent consultancy. He also served as Managing Director at the Financial Times and Financial Director of Pearson, the FT’s parent organization.

Comic Relief USA

Richard Curtis – Vice President of the Board

Co-founder of Comic Relief

Richard has co-produced all of Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day TV shows in both the U.K. and the U.S., and played an integral role in launching the campaign in America. Globally Red Nose Day has raised over $1 billion.

As a writer, his credits include the films Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Love Actually, Bridget Jones’s Diary, and About Time, and TV series Blackadder and The Vicar of Dibley.

Richard is also a UN Sustainable Development Goals Advocate. In 2000, he was awarded a CBE by the Queen.

Comic Relief USA

Rick Trowbridge – Board Member

CFO & Sr VP Operations, AmeriCares

Rick Trowbridge is CFO & Sr VP of Operations for AmeriCares, a non-profit emergency response and global health organization that saves lives and builds healthier futures for people in crisis in the U.S. and around the world. Rick recently joined AmeriCares from Save the Children Federation, where he was CFO, VP Finance and Treasurer. Rick has over 27 years’ experience in International Financial Planning and guided Save the Children through their global integration and expansion into multiple territories.

Comic Relief USA

Andy Cook – Board Member

General Manager, bgC3

Andy is a General Manager at bgC3, an American research company established by Bill Gates, where he manages strategy, education and online initiatives including Gates Notes and Big History. Prior to bgC3, Andy spent 10 years at Microsoft in both marketing and product management roles. Andy’s experience spans a wide range of industries and sectors, having worked in venture capital, investment banking, brand strategy, and even as an instructor and development officer for Outward Bound.

Comic Relief USA

Kevin Cahill – Board Member

Kevin joined Comic Relief UK in 1991 and served as Chief Executive 1997-2016. He was also Chairman of Comic Relief USA 2014-2017, and played an integral role in establishing the organization in the United States. Prior to his time with Comic Relief, Kevin was Head of Education at the Royal National Theatre. In 2007, he was awarded a CBE by the Queen.

Comic Relief USA

Michele Ganeless — Board Member

Independent Film Producer

Michele Ganeless was most recently President of Comedy Central from 2004 to 2016. Under her leadership, Comedy Central built its position across all platforms as the number one brand in comedy, establishing many of the company’s most popular series as hits like “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” “South Park,” “Inside Amy Schumer,” and “Key & Peele.” Prior to joining Comedy Central, Michele served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of USA Networks.

Michele is also an independent film producer who sits on the board of the Posse Foundation and on the National Advisory Council of Northwestern University’s School of Communications.

Comic Relief USA

Christy Gibb - Board Member

Practice Manager, Social Sector Practice, McKinsey & Company

Christy has broad experience working in the social sector in the US and abroad. She launched and built Ashoka‘s operations in Canada, holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, and was a consultant with McKinsey & Company’s Social Sector Practice for six years. She now oversees professional development for the practice.

Comic Relief USA

Richard Hofstetter - Board Member

Partner of Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz, P.C

Richard Hofstetter is a partner and co-chair of Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz‘s Entertainment and Sports Group. He was recently recognized in New York Magazine’s list of top lawyers as one of the New York area’s best entertainment lawyers.

Comic Relief USA

Jacki Kelley — Board Member

Deputy Chief Operating Officer at Bloomberg LP

Jacki Kelley has been a leader in the advertising and media industries for over 25 years. Jacki joined Bloomberg in 2014 as Chief Operating Officer of Bloomberg Media, and was appointed to the broader role of Deputy Chief Operating Officer for the Bloomberg LP in December 2017. Prior to this, Jacki was the CEO, North America, and President of Global Clients for IPG Mediabrands as well as Global CEO, Universal McCann. She was a Vice President, Worldwide Strategy & Solutions, at Yahoo! and worked with USA Today for 18 years, leaving the company as a Senior Vice President.

Jacki previously served on the Board of Directors for We Day and Free the Children, and has been honored with the United Way of New York City’s Power of Women to Make a Difference Award. She has received numerous high profile industry awards and accolades including being inducted into the American Advertising Federation Hall of Achievement.

Comic Relief USA

Michael Lynton — Board Member

Chairman of Snap Inc.

Michael Lynton is Chairman of Snap Inc., makers of Snapchat. Before joining Snap, Michael was Chairman and Chief Executive of Sony Pictures Entertainment and Chief Executive of Sony Entertainment Inc. Prior to this he started Disney Publishing at The Walt Disney Company, served as president of Disney’s Hollywood Pictures and was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pearson’s Penguin Group. Michael has also held a number of leadership roles with Time Warner including CEO of AOL Europe, President of AOL International, and President of Time Warner International.

Michael serves on the Board of Trustees on a number of non-profits as well as the boards of the USC School of Cinematic Arts, the Rand Corporation, and IEX Group. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the UK government’s Film Policy Review group.

Comic Relief USA

Paul Telegdy - Board Member

President of Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC Entertainment.

Janet Scardino - CEO

Chief Executive Officer of Comic Relief Inc.

Janet joined Comic Relief Inc. as CEO in February 2016, bringing extensive start-up experience and expertise in building brands in new markets for some of the world‘s most influential media properties. She has held senior posts at various television and digital media companies, including: Disney, MTV, AOL, Reuters, The Knot, American Idol, and its highly successful TV fundraiser, Idol Gives Back.

Janet has been honored for her leadership by The Girls Scouts of America, and received a Highest Leaf Award for Entrepreneurship by The Women’s Venture Fund.